Chelsea Rumours Mobile

19 Aug 2026 12:37:23
Apparently the much-delayed project to build a new home is a key factor driving Boehly and majority shareholders Clearlake Capital towards a break-up of their BlueCo consortium.

I understand Clearlake, who own 61.85 per cent, and Boehly are not seeing eye to eye on the long-term future of the club and believe something finally has to give in their power struggle. A new home to replace the ageing Stamford Bridge and generate greater revenue is central to BlueCo's dreams of sustainable success, on and off the pitch.

Boehly and Behdad Eghbali, co-founder of Clearlake, agree the Blues almost certainly need to move to a purpose-built venue away from Stamford Bridge.

But their visions for that multi-use complex, whether at Earls Court or elsewhere, are different.

More significantly, neither side is willing to put up their share of the likely construction costs of £5billion while the other camp retains influence over the project and the overall direction of the club.

Boehly and Walter, friends and business partners for a number of years, each control 12.8 per cent of BlueCo through a shared holding company, with Swiss businessman Hansjorg Wyss having the same stake.

Eghbali has been the dominant figure at Chelsea on a day-to-day basis since early 2023.
Boehly's camp, like Clearlake, have a right of veto over major decisions, including transfers and longer-term projects like the stadium.

Boehly will retain that power even when his five-year term as chairman expires at the end of the season and Clearlake take control of the post.

The two sides have been in talks about buying each other out for two years and are said to have maintained a professional relationship.

But the US probe into Walter, in which he denies all wrongdoing, has helped bring things to a head. His likely exit from Chelsea would cause a shake-up on its own. Nevertheless, a deal will be hard to strike as both sides argue over what shares in BlueCo, owners of Chelsea and sister club Strasbourg, are now worth.

In addition to the £2.5billion cost of buying out Roman Abramovich in 2022, BlueCo pledged to spend a further £1.75billion on the team, infrastructure and the women's side.

Neither Boehly's group nor Clearlake appear willing to commit more money to major projects like a new stadium until they have full control over how it is spent.

19 Aug 2026 12:59:31
Thanks EbW.

19 Aug 2026 13:30:26
Cheers EbW

The SB project was always going to bring the ownership issues to a head.

Let's hope it's resolved quickly, with Clearlake coming out as the winners. Whether we are, as a club, remains to be seen.

19 Aug 2026 14:59:51
Club now valued at £5 billion as well. That is some return on their investment. They might not know football, but they do know their money.

19 Aug 2026 15:04:42
The value is not yet tested, K. It will be interesting to see how much Bohely and Walters obtain from the sale.

19 Aug 2026 16:45:31
Boehly and Walter each own 12.8% and are reported to value the club at £5bn, meaning they would each receive about £640m from a sale.

19 Aug 2026 16:54:04
It will have to be independently valued before any sale takes place to protect all parties concerned.

19 Aug 2026 22:29:12
That has already been done, Bill, club valued at a minimum of £5 billion, maybe more.

20 Aug 2026 00:25:45
Sorry, who has already independantly valued the club?

20 Aug 2026 00:34:10
I'm not sure if you're the son of someone attached to Chelsea, a overzealous teenager, or just here for a wind up, but you quite consistently praise the yanks, for things that have been written by favorable reporters and haven't actually come to fruition. You praised them for the 300m that would be made from finctional fees for Enzo, Gusto and Neto, when no formal bids have been made, let alone offers accepted. Dig deeper and you find other clubs are laughing at our valuations. Valuations placed by the morons you value so highly.

The club valuation is similar. A made up figure by charlatans. Maybe search the history of this money gods you praise. These new charges aren't the first our owners have faced by the American authorities. Boehly is a sneaky little donut and has been for years. The owners are crooks and have falsely valued many a business. No surprise they are trying it with our club. Maybe those who previously laughed at my money washing jibe a few months back might take things more seriously moving forward.

20 Aug 2026 09:21:35
Melbourne, I am not a massive fan of our owners, but to label them "crooks" seems wrong to me. They all seemed to be involved in financial companies, all of whom are heavily regulated. After many years of experience in the financial industry, I can honestly tell you that virtually every participant has received some sort of fine from several regulators around the world. I am not saying that fines are not justified, but I am saying that in major companies the CEOs will rely heavily on professional advice and structure. Sometimes, and for lots of reasons, these parts fail.
If the failure was deliberate, or under the instructions of the CEO, then he or she will be prosecuted and, if found guilty, probably go to prison.
I can find no information about our owners that says they have committed a "crime" or served time in prison for "any" offence. I believe one of the director's companies received a fine for regulatory reasons.

The fines were paid in full.

As far as the club's valuation is concerned, I understand an independent valuation of the club when the new owners purchased the club was £4.25bn. Since then, it would appear that Premier League club valuations have generally increased. So, it seems reasonable that some now value the club at over £5bn. In earlier posts on this subject I mentioned it would be interesting to see what the club's shares are now valued at. It could well be in Clearlake's interest for the club to receive a much higher valuation than £5bn, even if that means paying a premium for the 25% ish shares owned by the selling shareholders. For example, they may well want the club on their books at a higher valuation to give them credibility as good investor managers, but also it could help them in lots of ways with future investments.

20 Aug 2026 09:59:09
Can posters not have a different opinion to you, Melbourne?
I can leave the site if that is what you want?

20 Aug 2026 10:52:24
The purchase was 2.5b with a further 1.75b earmarked for spending. We can be creative and say that values the club at 4.25b, but it certainly wasn't the purchase price, nor what has been held in escrow by the crooks that forced Roman to sell.

If you've been involved with finances for a long time, then I'm sure you're not naive enough to think all these businesses are run above board, nor that these advisors are paid for being wholly legitimate. Finding creative loopholes to laws and accounting is how they reach the top. Whether their actions are deemed illegal and people face jail time has far more to do with connections than whether or not they were in the wrong.

And if Boehly is able to walk away with 600m (almost a 50% increase in his investment), I once again point to money washing as the most obvious answer. Not turning dirty money clean, but increasing an investment on the books where no substantial increase in value has been created. Not the first time fraud has been lobbied their way, nor would it be the first time it's stuck.

I don't mind whether you stay or leave, K, but if everyone is allowed an opinion, maybe don't threaten to leave when someone points out some issues with your takes. Feel free to have a crack back with reasoning.

20 Aug 2026 12:09:30
Melbourne, I can assure you that I was, and to a certain extent still am, involved in financial services at a very senior level. It is a service that not only has the law to answer to, but also regulatory bodies, who were mainly put there to protect the "individual" investors.
You are entitled to your opinion about our owners, but my opinion is they are not crooks. It is not "money washing" if people make a profit on their investment.

My personal dislike of funds as owners of football clubs isn't just about their desire to make money. I'm never envious of people making money. My issue is, and to a certain extent it is understandable, that they serve their investors first and the fans second.

My guess is it will serve all the shareholders if the independent valuation is as high as possible, and my personal view is it will be higher than £5bn.

The RA sale of Chelsea has lots of layers to it. Given the climate at the time and RA's apparent close association with Putin, I guess it was inevitable.

19 Aug 2026 10:19:59
Hi Eds, wondering what you believe will happen with Jackson and Delap? Jackson off to Villa?

{Ed001's Note - Villa want Jackson if Watkins goes, which is looking increasingly likely. I can see him ending up making another loan move though, as there is interest but no one willing to pay the Chelsea asking price.

Delap is possibly off to Everton, though the asking price is putting everyone off. His value has dropped markedly after his awful season but you are looking for your money back. That's why I think it will probably end up being a late window move to Everton.}

19 Aug 2026 11:54:06
If it's only a loan for Jackson, I would sooner keep him.

We buy these players, then become a charity company for other clubs who can't or won't buy players.

It was bad enough with Italian clubs coming in with their begging bowls, but it seems to have crept in over here.

19 Aug 2026 12:15:48
I would rather keep Jackson - who has looked pretty good in pre-season - than Delap or Emegha. But Emegha had a dreadful injury record last season, and is injured again with a hamstring issue now, unless he has recovered, so it may be impossible to loan him.



So much still to resolve for CFC in this transfer window, and it makes it tricky for Alonso - particularly the EF situation - though you'd guess he knows most of those who are definitely staying.

19 Aug 2026 13:27:51
Ed

Just another thought.

Villa have loaned Garnacho fir this season coming therefore i'm pretty sure Villa can't have Jackson on loan, am I reading the situation correctly?

{Ed001's Note - iirc yes, which is why I think he will end up back out on the continent. Either way, it will be very late as you and Villa want to avoid falling foul of the 45 days rule. So it will be a last minute move to Villa or, if that falls through, elsewhere, I expect. Though Arsenal have yet to complete their summer signing from you yet, so maybe they will jump in for him!}

19 Aug 2026 14:23:48
Thsnk you ED001

{Ed001's Note - sorry just noticed I missed out on loan with regards to Jackson if the move to Villa doesn't work out. I can't see there being time to find anything permanent if that collapses.}

19 Aug 2026 15:06:22
Interesting last few seconds of the transfer window ED.

{Ed001's Note - could be crazy.}

17 Aug 2026 18:08:49
Rumours are coming out that Walters and Boehly are in talks to sell their shares to Clearlake.

18 Aug 2026 08:25:18
Bill, is it just the two of them or is the third minority shareholder also looking to sell his 12.5% to Clearlake?

18 Aug 2026 09:18:03
At the moment, Tom, it's just the two being reported, but my guess is, if Clearlake are successful, they will eventually take a run at the remaining shareholders.

18 Aug 2026 18:17:28
Reuters - among others - has, of course, reported that Mark Walters is being investigated for possible fraudulent activities involving his insurance companies in the USA. Something to do with inadequate assets there to underwrite them, I think. Might be a reason he needs to sell CFC shares to realise some liquid capital for this purpose?

18 Aug 2026 20:19:59
He has also sold his American sporting entity, earning some 2.5 billion dollars profit.

19 Aug 2026 09:06:53
Interesting, Bill, and may be for the same reason, then.

19 Aug 2026 10:39:57
Totally agree, JBS.

I may be wrong, but with everything going on in America, a quick sale by Bohely and Walters may be on the cards.

16 Aug 2026 10:59:59
I am just the messenger but last night I was told the regulators informed City ages ago that an announcement would be published before this season starts regarding the 115 charges. So, I assume that is no later than this Friday.

It seems plausible.

18 Aug 2026 18:19:56
Would love to believe that might happen, Tom. Have almost come to the conclusion that City ever being charged seems as likely as seeing a herd of pigs flying past my window.

18 Aug 2026 20:22:17
Thought I saw them flying over your place today, JBS, but it was only a swarm of 115 charges flying into the distance, never to be seen again.

19 Aug 2026 07:57:25
So there is, yet again, no update on the charges. This is just incredible. At this rate, a new SB will be built before we know what is happening with 115 City.

19 Aug 2026 09:08:16
Nice on Bill! Yes, 115 charges being blown away into outer space ....

13 Aug 2026 17:01:37
Looks like City have offered €120m for EF. According to the rags we are looking for £120m. I don't think that is enough. I would ask for £140m.

13 Aug 2026 17:30:41
I should have added, then another £140m for Neto and Gusto.
Let's take the money before they get fined, points deduction and transfer ban!! haha!!

13 Aug 2026 21:50:38
If it adds up to 300m for the 3, I'd run and take it. I do. Quite like Enzo, but he wants to leave so he can go. Don't really rate either Neto or Gusto.

13 Aug 2026 22:00:59
I'm with you fuser, let's take 1/3rd of a billion on just 3 players. Awesome financial business and some punters thought the owners were "blowing" money! makes me smile. As ED01 has said, Alex Scott is an upgrade on what we have and he will be the man. My CFC academy mate says we have no interest in Wharton whatsoever.

14 Aug 2026 07:18:07
As a player, I would rather we didn't sign Wharton as I'm not a fan, but my wallet says differently. I am also not a fan of Scott, but the club rarely makes me happy with signings.

14 Aug 2026 08:22:03
Have they actually made an official bid yet?

14 Aug 2026 10:42:36
This may be what we have to do, but it will mean another gutting of a side and a huge rebuild again. EF (10 and 4) and Neto (5 and 6) were both in our list of top four players in terms of goals and assists last season - the other two, of course, being Pedro (15 and 5) and Palmer (10 and 1).

Neto provided most assists last season, and only Pedro and Reece James were in the top six alongside Neto, Fernandez, Cucurella and Gusto. Garnacho was seventh with 3 assists. Gusto had as many goals in the EPL as Estevao and TC.

So obviously we hope that Alonso can build/rebuild a side that can do much better than the ones who have left or will leave, considering the side finished 10th, but it really would feel yet again almost like starting from scratch after four years of the new owners. And, if they have finally found some backbone in transfer deals now - and thank goodness they do seem to be holding out for decent sale prices, though 117 million for MR purchase seems v steep given his form was not outstanding last season - we should surely by now not have been in a situation when so many of our (statistically at least) top players want out.



Still, it is what it is, and if players do want out then getting top dollar is obviously important. As is getting any potentially disruptive influences out of the dressing room. But, in an ideal world - one in which the owners had picked managers who were not good enough or who had ambitions to manage another club as soon as they could - we would obviously have been hoping to have had consistent ECL qualification and keeping our top players and making only a few improvements/changes in key positions, e.g. GK.

Having said all this, I am still hopeful that Alonso can build a team that may be as good, or preferably better, than the sum of its parts rather than less good as has been the case too often with CFC sides in EPL matches in recent seasons. It will also be good if Alonso knows whether key player Enzo F is staying or leaving by 5 pm today. Hopefully that he will know soon too the fates of Neto and Gusto.

14 Aug 2026 11:02:25
JBS, some of this rebuild is not of our making, but some of the issues needed addressing no matter who was in charge. The CH situation needed rectifying.
I would like to think that better advice is now being given than when these owners first came in.

I personally would have gone for Costa seasons ago, but now it looks as if signing him creates a block for Penders.
The window has a few weeks left to go, so I will wait before I make a prediction for next season. I got it about right for the first two years under this ownership, but was way off last season when I said 2-4th. I must try harder. 😂 👎

14 Aug 2026 15:54:51
I am also holding off making a prediction now, Tom, until after the transfer window closes. Much still v uncertain. You are probably right about why no seasoned good GK is being brought in.

In terms of players in our huge squad, we may find it tricky to sell likes of BB, Disasi, Delap and Guiu. Loans more likely, but how many are we allowed? Tosin a possible sale? Sarr loaned or kept, not sure.

Anselmino injury probably means he stays, whether this was planned or not. I have liked the look of him, so hope he recovers soon and completely. Do we need another CH if all these exit, plus Anselmino crocked? We are left with Lacroix, LC, Hato, Josh, Fofana (I may have missed someone?), enough?

14 Aug 2026 16:19:00
JBS, if rumours are to be believed, Lamps would like Josh on loan.

I think Disasi is sold. Badiashile loan along with Sarr. I think we sell Delap, Tosin, Gusto and Guiu but only time will tell.

14 Aug 2026 17:04:51
Hope you're right, Tom.

13 Aug 2026 08:49:38
Rumours rife that Alex Scott is wanted by Alonso to play alongside Moises Caicedo, I guess that means EF is off to join Maresca at Man City. ED01, have you any thoughts on Scott? an upgrade or just a better fit? or a downgrade?

{Ed001's Note - the Scott of last year is a better fit and upgrade, imo. I wouldn't have said that previously, having seen him at Bristol City and a few times dotted around the Prem, but just after Iraola was appointed Liverpool manager I was sick in bed so watched through all the Bournemouth games of last season. Knowing that Liverpool were weak in midfield, I particularly watched how their midfield worked and was very impressed with Scott. He used to be a weak, floaty attacking mid, but now he is a hard working grafting central midfielder who gets his foot in and can still play when he gets on the ball. I like him a lot on the basis of what I saw last season. He is a good alternative to Lavia I would say, which could be very much needed with his injury history.}

13 Aug 2026 09:10:37
Thanks ED01, it is all starting to make sense now and if Adam Scott does replace EF we have upgraded our midfield and still keep Lavia.

{Ed001's Note - I think so, yes. It would make a lot of sense to me.}

13 Aug 2026 13:32:56
Thanks v much as ever ed001 for your thoughts on Scott, quite encouraging.my concern tgough is that he does not have as many EPL goals (10) as EF - Scott had only 4 - or assists as EF (4). Scott had only 2.

{Ed001's Note - he tended to sit as part of a double pivot mate, so very rarely got far enough forward for a shot or assist.}

13 Aug 2026 14:59:03
Ok thanks again Ed and so it would not be a like for like swap. Clearly in.havent watched all those Bournemouth games!

13 Aug 2026 15:38:13
JBS, Adam Scott will add so much more to the team in that double pivot, he is mobile, good on the ball, can transition and will offer that defensive solidity which Enzo lacks. Different players but as ED01 says a far better fit for us and just what we need. Remember all of our great midfielders over the years who often go unsung?

13 Aug 2026 17:32:59
We all see players differently and I am not a massive fan.
One mate says Wharton, the other says a young player called Camara.

12 Aug 2026 22:02:21
Deadline set for EF to move, £120 million delivered by 5pm on Friday or forget it. These owners are brutal in business and a welcome relief to the Roman days where we would pamper players and oppo clubs. Nice to see some fight in them.

13 Aug 2026 02:30:17
Couldn't disagree more about your assessment for our time under Roman. These owners aren't fit to tie his laces. One semi decent window where they haven't messed up everything they've touched does nothing to change that.

13 Aug 2026 06:51:11
Roman brought a level of success to our club that I personally never believed possible. For me, he will always be a club legend.
Like a lot of wealthy people, he was no saint, and, depending on who you believe, a possible ruthless Russian crook.


Did he make mistakes while he was owner of Chelsea? Yes.
Do I care as much as I should? Probably not.
I guess it proves I am just a shallow, fickle, biased football fan.

13 Aug 2026 07:36:26
Or K, why don't the owners just come out and say, EflF is an important player for us and is not for sale.

13 Aug 2026 07:57:48
Melbourne, just to add clarity to the post I made, my point is the new owners won't be messed about like what we had to put up with before, where players were bought for vast sums, then decided they didn't like it and went on endless loans, mainly on the cheap and mainly to Italy.

13 Aug 2026 07:59:36
Bill, I know it's usual for everyone to bash the owners and SDs, and sometimes that is justified, but in this case EF said he wanted to leave. Ok, if he wants to leave, that's fine, but at a price of the club's choosing.

I like EF as a player, but as far as I know he has not come out and apologised to the fans for making his preference clear with 10/12 games left in a season and while vice captain.

If he wants to go, then fine, goodbye. If he wants to stay, he needs to start mending bridges.

13 Aug 2026 08:46:22
He can start by mending Stamford Bridge, Tom. It needs an update.

13 Aug 2026 10:07:30
EbW, Roman and our current owners have apparently looked and continue to look at all the SB options. I can't see anything happening in my lifetime.

13 Aug 2026 10:24:16
Are they Tom?

13 Aug 2026 10:33:18
Bill, you were part of the thread that had surprising input from the CFC president. To be fair he outlined the clubs position on this site in detail. With all due respect to the site I wish they would communicate/update their own platform on this issue or at least let the FAB discuss the situation at its board meetings.

I have made my views well known, if anything happens think it will just be an expansion of the current SB site but I genuinely believe these owners will be long gone before anything of consequence materialises.

13 Aug 2026 13:23:21
Tom

I think lip service springs to mind. He did not hang around for questions; I wonder why.

13 Aug 2026 13:56:03
Bill, maybe it wasn't him. Anyway, he was hardly going to elaborate or deviate from the club's position.

11 Aug 2026 22:21:07
I’m not I understand this correctly, but it would appear that City do have an interest in signing EF. Apparently we have set a fee (£120m) and a deadline date for any agreement. This makes sense to me and I have followed my mate and backed us to sign Wharton. It’s only a bit of fun!

12 Aug 2026 10:27:51
Will hope we can keep him, and would hate us to strengthen that snake Maresca's City... or Arsenal. Ef may leave in next season or two - and quite understandably if we fail to get Champions League football again - but hopefully to one of the Madrid teams or PSG, if so.

Still, if City come up with the 120 million, I will assume the club will sell and replace him with a Scott or Wharton. Would certainly hope the club would not cave in for anything less.

Neither S nor W nearly as good as Ef imho, though I would have to hope they could offer something usefully different, i.e. perhaps defensively and/or in terms of pace - if this happened. But I would hate that we were settling for selling several of our best players from last season and hampering our chances of qualifying for Ecl football this season.

12 Aug 2026 10:55:59
Jbs, let's not forget what EF said about wanting to leave albeit to RM.

12 Aug 2026 14:00:47
I don't forget this, Tom, or that he may not be a poster boy for good behaviour, but am probably, like you, more concerned with Chelsea having and retaining the best players it can. But you may well be suggesting that he may have wanted to leave for some time, and that hasn't changed, and the club has always let such players leave, and Alonso may not have convinced EF to change his mind.

12 Aug 2026 15:11:06
I think my preference would be Scott over Wharton, but, having said that, I've not seen either of them a lot.

12 Aug 2026 15:13:53
JBS, I am indeed suggesting that. I'm sure if we offered him a lucrative contract extension he would show his love for Chelsea. I'm sure that if City offer enough, the club will sell and will be paid a lot more money than he earns with us.

If City offer £120m plus, that would probably show a book profit of £50-£70m.

I can't see us turning it down.

Player-wise, most posters will know how highly I rate him, but if he wants to go, then goodbye. Also, I agree with the club's supposed stance: if they don't pay the full amount by a certain date, he stays, with the fee increasing as the clock ticks.

12 Aug 2026 16:28:55
You are probably right, Tom, but reckon it considerably weakens us - as did losing Cucurella - and strengthens a direct rival. Scott or Wharton are not at Ef level. We would have lost two top players for us in their prime. This is the result of owner and SD stupidity, and Maresca's treachery not getting us Champions League football last season.

We can only hope Alonso is a special one, but he may not quite have the quality, experience, or strength in depth in the squad that Mourinho enjoyed. So Xa may have to be extra special!

Just when, if ever, will the charges against City lead to any punishment?

12 Aug 2026 16:40:17
JBS, let's reflect a little. Cucarella wanted (for family reasons) to go back to Spain. Fernandez expressed his desire to leave with about 10/12 games to go of the season and while still vice captain.
Both players, having declared they want to leave, albeit for different reasons, hardly seem to be the fault of the SDs or owners.



I have made my views on Maresca well known in previous posts. As far as City are concerned, it continues to be a disgrace that the verdict has not been made public.

12 Aug 2026 17:10:15
Tom, perhaps Cucurella missing family, plus the temptation of playing Champions League football for Real Madrid midweek, was amplified by having no Champions League football with us, though I agree he was likely to leave anyway.

Enzo tempted to Spain for the same reasons, bar the family ones.

The fact that Enzo F will strengthen City if he goes there is grating.

Still too early to know quite how to rate our chances this coming season.

13 Aug 2026 02:32:07
Personally, will be extremely happy to see the back of Enzo and even more excited if he makes his way to Citeh for the reported 120m. Quickest way to destroy the culture of Pep is to bring in the two Enzos who have shown no loyalty or respect anywhere they've been.

11 Aug 2026 11:18:31
I always love the rumours but maybe not this one. Apparently the Gooners have offered us Skelly.

11 Aug 2026 12:10:32
Why Tom?

11 Aug 2026 12:16:55
Bill, I am not a fan.

11 Aug 2026 13:13:30
I think we already have a huge squad full of talented youngsters, so I'm not sure we need to add another at this stage. We should probably prioritise them, including our own academy stars.

11 Aug 2026 13:47:50
Agreed, JBS.

06 Aug 2026 12:12:29
Interesting news surfacing that it appears all the paperwork for the Rogers signing may have been submitted to the Premier League
A few days earlier than the formal announcement on the 21st July.

If true, we will soon find out if Jackson does move to Villa at the end of the window, allowing for 45 days between the transactions, so not classed as a swap and the full fee can be achieved no doubt nicely inflated to suit the loophole duo of Aston Villa and Chelsea.



Be lovely to shaft those bellends at UEFA.

06 Aug 2026 15:56:30
U totally agree with you, EbW.

09 Aug 2026 11:54:33
After watching game yesterday I'd love to keep Jackson.

11 Aug 2026 17:38:16
Agreed about Jackson, though he must curb his temper!